Updated: Jack Wield, 1950-2013
On behalf of the Wield family and the Toronto Police Pipe Band it is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our dear friend, Jack Matthew Wield, at age 63.
A celebration of Jack Wield’s life will be held on Thursday, May 23rd, at St. Mark’s United Church, 201 Centre Street South, Whitby, Ontario L1N 4V7. A visitation starts at 1 pm, followed by a memorial celebration at 2, and then a reception in the church hall. The family asks that, instead of flowers, memorial donations to Lung Cancer Canada through CanadaHelps.org are appreciated.
Jack was born on February 19, 1950, in Scotland and grew up in Annan in the south. He joined the Edinburgh City Police as a police officer and, shortly thereafter, he was a World Champion, playing bass with the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band.
In 1976, Jack and his wife Jeanette immigrated to Canada. Jack joined the ranks of the Toronto Police Force and shortly thereafter he joined the pipe band. Jack and Jeanette eventually settled in the Town of Whitby, Ontario, where they raised their two beautiful daughters, Kirsty and Fiona.
As a member of the Toronto Police Pipe Band, Jack devoted a large part of his time to many positions within the band and was a major contributor to its past and present achievements.
In 1986 Jack was again a World Champion as a member of winning drum corps in Grade 2 at the World Pipe Band Championships under the direction of Leading-Drummer Greg Dinsdale. He took great pride in this achievement, especially after his former Annan Ex-Service Pipe Band and dear friends John and Walter Cowan won the overall crown that day.
Jack was the Drum-Sergeant of the Toronto Police Pipe Band for almost 20 years. He held this position until he believed there was someone who he thought (and convinced me of!) could carry on the legacy. Danny Funcion took over and he immediately began building a corps which Jack actively participated in, reliving the glory years of 1986 again. Jack knew this move was the right one for the band and it is many selfless acts like this that Jack did without hesitation, always putting others before himself. Every organization must have people like this, and Jack Wield was ours.
In 2010 Jack retired from the Toronto Police Service however he continued to be a dedicated and loyal member of the Toronto Police Pipe Band. His courageous battle with cancer ended on the morning of May 17, 2013.
Jack Wield will forever be remembered as the husband, the father, the side drummer, the bass drummer, the drum-sergeant, the secretary, the treasurer, the manager, the social committee, the quartermaster, the cook, the stage-hand and the salesperson. But, most of all, he was our friend.
We will all miss that laugh and smile that said, “I am here; what can I do to help?” – all said and done at mach-speed in a slight accent.
– Ian K. MacDonald
Very nicely put Ian. I had the privilege of playing with Jack in the late 80’s which included a three week trip to Scotland.Jack played a huge part in organizing that trip ,winning the drumming at the worlds just proves that good guys do finish first. My thoughts and sympathies go out to Jeanette and the girls.All the best. Sean A
I would like to express my deepest sympathies to Jack¡¯s wife Janette and daughters Kirsty and Fiona. I had the privilege of playing with Jack in the Toronto Police Pipe Band in the 1980¡¯s and it was indeed a privilege. Jack was a gentleman, a great band mate and a wonderful friend. You could not help but be positive when Jack was in your presence. He brought out that out in people. Jack¡¯s laugh, smile and turn of phrase made everyone feel better. He was one of a kind; and will be truly missed. Jack was an enormous help to me during my time with Toronto Police and I will always be grateful for his guidance and support. A life far too short. Greg Dinsdale
What a sweet sweet man. He always had nice things to say. RIP…HOSS
I would also like to express my sympathies to Jeanette and the girls, for a life cut too short. I only knew him through the band, and he always had a good word for all. If anyone needed a definition of a bandsman, they had to look no further than Jack. Whatever needed done, he was the go to guy. Rest in peace. Dave Goodall
I was very sad to hear about Jack. He was a gentleman and would do anything for you. My thoughts go out to his family and also the members of The Toronto Police Pipe Band. I hope to catch up with some members at Kingston this weekend and we can share some good times that we had with Jack. Graham Kirkwood